Phone tower online

Improved cellular coverage south of Aberdeen sought

Improved cellular coverage south of Aberdeen sought

October 02, 2007|By Scott Waltman, American News Writer

Cell phone coverage south of Aberdeen should have improved in the past week. A new cell phone tower near Mellette was turned on late last week, said Gary Hanson of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The tower should have a range radius of between eight and 12 miles, improving service in southern Brown and northern Spink counties, Hanson said. "It's pretty flat up there, so (the range is) probably going to be closer to the 12 than the eight," Hanson said. So far this year, cell phone companies have powered up 22 new cell phone towers across the state, including ones near Selby, Hitchcock and Wolsey, Hanson said. A couple of more towers should be turned on before the end of the year, he said. Last year, cell phone companies put up 28 new towers statewide. Hanson said the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission's attempt to work with cell phone companies to improve coverage has fared better than efforts by some other states to force better coverage via legislation, lawsuit or utility commission regulations. "We continue to lobby and schmooze and use whatever hammers, small though they may be, on the wireless providers, and they have been kind to us in South Dakota," Hanson said. South Dakota is getting more investment to improve coverage than almost any other state, he said. The improved coverage along and near U.S. Highway 281 between Aberdeen and Redfield should be good for health and safety concerns, Hanson said. He said more people will now be able to use their cell phones to report traffic and agricultural accidents. He said that means first responders will be able to get to the accident sites more quickly. Reporter Scott Waltman; (605) 622-2315 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 315; swaltman@aberdeennews.com